Customer Reviews

Toshiba SD-2150 Dual Tray DVD Player

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I spent many hours on-line comparing DVD players: considering price, quality, features, and reliability. I also shopped at many electronics stores in the area. I finally came up with the Toshiba SD2150 DVD Player. Why, you ask? Well most consumers picked the SD220 as the best buy, and I would almost agree with that 100%. The SD2150 has everything the SD2200 has, but with a $100.00 difference in list price. Oh yeah, the SD2200 has two audio features the SD2150 doesn't: a dolby digital decoder and an optical digital output - both features you don't need, because you should get the dolby digital decoder feature in your audio receiver instead. Plus the 2150 has a bitstream/PCM audio output that will provide digital audio to your digital receiver or TV. ...For excellent picture quality and superb audio, you can't beat Toshiba DVD players!

With DVD machines hitting all time lows in cost its easy to get caught up in purchising a poor unit in the 150 dollar range at Walmart. Don't fret, spending the extra 50-75 dollars on this unit will be well worth your money. This nifty machine does it all! It has digital sound, zoom feature, 30x Fast forward or reverse, dual tray disk, and the all important component video output. The component video output will be the standard in years to come in viewing movies. (Basically compare HDTV to regular TV and you get the picture) The draw back to the component video function is that you have to have a TV with component inputs. Toshiba is known for very bad remote controls, on this unit they surprisingly got it right. Its Light, small, and to the point. I have two Toshiba TV's, and have been very pleased with them. So when shopping for my first DVD unit I was naturally drawn to them. But after comparing this unit to others like the Sony, and Panasonic the Toshiba price was more affordable, and the functions more abundant on this model compared to the others. Making this little beauty part of your entertainment center will be money well spent!

I did a lot of research before buying my (primary) DVD player, please read on. The dual tray is a great option. The biggest thing this player has going for it is 540 lines of horizontal resolution. If you have a TV with component input, but it doesn't support anamorphic, nor does it support progressive scanning, getting a higher resolution output is your only method of improving your picture.

Composite video has a resolution of 380 horizontal lines. S-Video has a resolution of 420 horizontal lines. I do not know what coax (cable) is capable of. And component (three rca plugs of green, red, blue) can do from 480 and up. Most DVD players do 480 to 500 lines of resolution, but certain Toshiba players have the much underrated option of 540 horizontal lines. This may not sound like a big deal to you, but compare to 380 of composite (single yellow rca plug), and you are reaching over 150% the detail.

So if you want to get all you can from your slightly older technology TV set, this is the DVD player to get.

I've owned this machine for less than six months, and it's gone through TWO laser pickups. With only a skimpy 90-day warranty on laber, this DVD player has so far cost me! There's either a terrible design flaw, or I've been unlucky enough to receive two bad laser assemblies. Personally, I think there's a design or manufacturing flaw involved. There's no reason why I went through two lasers in screening somewhere between 30 and 40 movies, between March 13 and July 25, 2001. STAY AWAY FROM THIS MODEL!!

I bought this machine when it was a little more expensive and I am generally happy with the features and capabilities. This is also the second Toshiba DVD player that I have owned. The only thing that is a drawback (and it's a big one)is the warranty service. The machine' remote suffered a melt-down after being used for two months. After conferring with Toshiba's customer service about warranty support for the remote I brought it to their designated service center in my area. -Remotes are not serviced, they are just replaced.- After replacing the remote (under warranty) Toshiba changed the text of their warranty and decided that they weren't going to honor their previous warranty and had the service center bill me (...) Beware the service and get their promises of support in writing. If you never use the equipment, it will never need service.

It worked fine for the three DVD's I was able to watch before it died. Approxiamately two weeks after the warranty expired. The authorized repair people said the repair would be about $230. Just what I paid for it! This may be the exception but I thought that I should warn others of my experience. Good luck!

I've had this player for about two months now, and generally speaking, it's been great. Here's what's good about it:

It is a breeze to install, especially if your TV has a S-Video input (it's a round connector that has several prongs in it, kind of what your mouse plugs into in your computer).

Picture quality is, in my opinion, excellent. Even in comparison to other players of equal stature, I thought this one was a tad better.

There were a couple of things that keep it from getting 5 stars. First of all, the audio output is a little weak. If you do not have a stereo receiver to plug this in and/or a digital TV, the sound level may be hard to hear at times. Some players have a dialogue setting that this one does not...wish it did.

Second, after only two months, I need to have it cleaned already. DVDs are skipping and freezing every so often (on average, 5 seconds a movie, so no big deal).

Nevertheless, for the price, it is a steal.

I did a LOT of research before buying my first DVD player. After reading reviews on a ton of sites, I focused my attention towards this model and the Sony 560. I finally chose the Toshiba based on price and the dual-tray feature...and I have not been disappointed one bit with my decision. There is no sound from the DVD player while spinning the disc, the picture is great, the remote control features are plentiful, and the dual-tray is a definite bonus. Definitely consider this model if you are looking for a great player for a good price.

Toshiba DVD players are some of the best available and the SD-2150 with Dual Tray, 540 line, ColorStream (component video output), VSS (Virtual Surround Sound), BitStream / PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation - a 6 channel DTS (Digital Theatre System sound output).
Okay to put this very simply: The SD-2150 has many advanced features for the next generation Home Threatre / Entertainmnet System. Also the SD-2150 is user friendly and the best DVD player to have prior to going into Progressive Scan (the serious / expensive Home Threatre commitment).
With the SD-2150 you have "Component video" this allows you to have the BEST PICTURE available (less Progressive Scan - see my SD-6200 review for explanation and comparison). NOTE: You must have a COMPONENT VIDEO TV to get this feature to work plus the COMPONENT VIDEO CABLE (not provided)(see my review on the COMPONENT CABLE by MONSTER the MV3CV-2M). The good news is the SD-2150 also has a S-Video (cable not supplied) which provides the next best picture (again your TV must have a S-Video socket).
So what does the SD-2150 come with??? Universal remote w/batteries, composite video cables (the yellow, red and white and RCA plug) a comprehensive user guide and the grandest DVD player.
The Features previously mentioned are only the best of the best the SD-2150 has (the list is long and amazing). Dual Tray - allows you to have a double feature showing or change out one without disturbing the other, 540 line - most DVD players provide 480 - 500 horz lines, ColorStream - is Toshiba's COMPONENT VIDEO enhancement to constantly provide the best available picture for your viewing pleasure, VSS - allows you to receive a surround sound effect with only two speakers!!! and BitStream - DTS output for true HOME THEATRE sound. (NOTE: you need the DTS System and the special bitstream cable (not supplied).
This is a real value and a gold mine find for today's system and when you upgrade in the future to the HOME THEATRE environment. The SD-2150 is the one !!!!!!

After hours of on-line comparisons and several more hours at the stores I landed on the Toshiba SD 2150. Picture Quality, with the color stream hook-ups, and DTS are unbelievable. See Toy Story! Dual decks is an option you only appreciate once you have it. Other units with similiar cost and one tray dont compare. Ive done your shopping for you. This ones a keeper.